Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Biometrics!

Before I begin, it's our third year anniversary today! Woohoo! :)

Anyways, went to Sioux Falls today to celebrate and before we went for lunch, we headed to the USCIS office there. Arrived there about 11:30. Asked the guard if I can do an early walk-in. He directed me to the receptionist where I then asked him. He took my biometrics letter and went to the back, to ask someone. The minute he was gone, my heart was beating the entire time. I very much hoped to be able to do it. Not one single person was there getting biometrics done, so I thought I had a good chance, but you know how strict those officers can be. But, my hopes soon came true. The receptionist came back and told me I can do an early walk-in. Woohoo!

I was scanned in by the guard I first spoke with. And by scan, I don't mean like airport scanners. I mean like those little hand-held scanners. Had to stand with my arms outstretched! Once that was done, I had to fill out a simple sheet with my name, birth date, sex, hair color, eye color, height, weight, A number, application number, and phone number. Think that was it. Oh, there was also a section on previous names, but I don't have any, so skipped that. Once I was done, I was instructed to bring it up to the receptionist along with my biometrics notice and green card.

He took it from me and told me to sit back down as he entered the information. Less than 5 minutes later, he called me back up. He proceeded to take my fingerprints. Unfortunately, this caused some issues as my fingerprints kept getting rejected. He had to override a lot of them. Hopefully that doesn't become an issue later on... Anyways, probably like 10 minutes later, he told me to take a seat and took my photograph. Then, I digitally signed something.

We returned back to the receptionist's desk and he returned the biometrics notice to me, with a stamp on it showing the date I got my fingerprints/photo done. Gave me a little comment card to fill out about their service (I gave them 'excellent' across the board). And he then told me when I got my 10-year card that I would have to mail in my present, expired green card to their office.

All-in-all, great experience! Was out of there within 20 minutes, the most of that chunk being my fingerprints! Along with the delicious food (lunch and dinner) and movie, our anniversary was great! :)

6 comments:

Thank you for sharing your journey!! You have answered so many questions a long my journey through immigration just by following your blog. I have a question for you, after you had your first POE did your welcome letter come separate from your green card? I am still waiting for my green card.... if you could email me back that would be awesome its allisonhilarydayton@gmail.com Thanks again for all of your help and information! -Allison

You get the welcome letter first, which contains a receipt number in which you can track the green card on USCIS's website (like with the I-130 petition). Most people get the green card within a few weeks from POE, but can take longer depending where you did your POE. Just to confirm, you did pay the immigrant fee either before or after you immigrated?

I'm just now figuring out about removing conditions!!! I had no idea. Man I'm freaking out. My green card expires dec 31 this year. Can you possibly email me and give me the jist of what I should be doing? I'd greatly appreciate it. lambtoasted@gmail.comStacey.

You have plenty of time! There's not much to it. You fill out the I-751 form, copy the front and back of your green card, then include as much evidence as you can to show you're in a bona fide marriage. And of course include payment ;)

You can apply 90 days before your card expires right? My card expires 1 month before my son's (different POE dates). I wonder if I could wait 1 month (60 days before expiry) to send in both our i-751 together or if that is cutting it too close.

As long as it's sent within that 90 day window before your card expires, you're fine. I ended up sending mine in about 2 weeks before my card expires and had no problems. You definitely will have no issues if you send it in 60 days before expiration.